Kit for use in organizing images

ABSTRACT

A kit for organizing a plurality of images provided on a plurality of hard copy prints. The kit may include at least one order form for the ordering of at least one good and/or service; and at least one instruction form having a code capable of being machine read so as obtain information for use in organizing the images. The kit may also include a container and envelopes for use in organizing the images.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/641,030, filed Aug.17, 2000, entitled “A KIT FOR USE IN ORGANIZING IMAGES”, by Leanne M.Capozzi, Andrews Sailus, Kenneth D. Corby, Carl A. Testa and Dale F.McIntyre.

U.S. Ser. No. 09/640,642, filed concurrently herewith, of Carl A. Testa,Andrew Sailus, Kenneth D. Corby, Leanne M. Capozzi, Dale F. McIntyre andJoseph A. Manico, entitled “A PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR ORGANIZING ANDSEARCHING DIGITAL IMAGES”;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/640,807, filed concurrently herewith, of Kenneth D.Corby, Andrew Sailus, Carl A. Testa, Leanne M. Capozzi and Dale F.McIntyre, entitled “METHOD APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZING CAPTUREDDIGITAL IMAGES”;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/641,102, filed concurrently herewith, of Andrew Sailus,Kenneth D. Corby, Carl A. Testa, Leanne M. Capozzi, Allen K. Tsaur andDale F. McIntyre, entitled “A COMPUTER SOFTWARE PRODUCT AND METHOD FORORGANIZING AND MANIPULATING OF IMAGES”;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/640,949, filed concurrently herewith, of Andrew Sailus,Kenneth D. Corby, Carl. A. Testa and Leanne M. Capozzi entitled “ASYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE BEENORGANIZED”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the organizing of images. In particularto a method, system and apparatus for automatically organizing a largenumber of images that may be obtained from a variety of differentsources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For years consumers have been taking pictures. Up until recently mostpictures were produced as hard copy prints. These prints were taken atvarious personal and professional occasions, often having greatsentimental value to the taker and the people associated therewith.Often these pictures would be taken and viewed shortly thereafter. Dueto the relatively inexpensive nature of taking photographs, people haveoften taken many photographs over the years. While some attempts havebeen made in trying to organize the images and pictures taken byconsumers, often due to the extensive amount of pictures taken, thephotographic prints are stored into various containers such as shoeboxes in random fashion. Thus, over the course of many years, peopleoften store hundreds of pictures in boxes where the images are notplaced in any particular order or organization. While some attempts havebeen made to allow organization of newly captured images, very littlehas been done with regard to stored hardcopy print images. They aresimply stored in shoeboxes. Typically, the only thing available forsorting and organizing of these images is for the consumer to go throughthe pile of stored pictures and manually place individual pictures intophoto albums. This is a difficult and arduous process. Thus, littleheadway is usually made in organizing these photographic prints.Further, there is no easy way of organizing the past prints with newprints that are taken. Typically, images must be sorted with respect tothe time frame to which they are taken. There is no easy way of beingable to sort and organize images that have been taken over an extendedperiod of time or from a variety of sources, for example, multiple rollsof film. In addition, there is no easy way for organizing images fromdifferent types of sources, such as, digital images that are stored online, in cameras, photographic prints etc.

Thus, there is a need to provide a method and system for the organizingof images by consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda method for ordering of a kit for use in organizing images to bescanned, comprising the steps of:

connecting to an image service provider over a communication network;

filling out an electronic order form; the electronic order form having alist of selections that can be individually selected, wherein when oneof the selections is selected a scanable label is generated for use inorganizing the images.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andappended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention presented below, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is flow chart of a system made in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one of the steps in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an instruction sheet for use in a kit made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an order form (card) for use in a kit made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified order form for use in a kit made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a sheet having paired sticker icons;

FIG. 6B illustrates an instruction form for use in a kit made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a container and an organization folder for use in akit made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified kit made in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates another kit made in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 illustrates another modified kit made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another modified kit made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates the container of the kit of FIG. 11 in the closedposition;

FIG. 13 illustrates still another kit made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a modified kit similar to the kit of FIG. 13 alsomade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a label that maybe used in the practice of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates the label of FIG. 15 placed on a print;

FIGS. 17 a–d illustrates a modified container in various positions forholding hard copy documents which is designed to mate with a scanner;

FIG. 18 illustrates a carrier for holding a hard copy document forfeeding of the document into an automatic feed scanner;

FIG. 19 illustrates a modified carrier for holding a hard copy documentfor feeding of the document into an automatic feed scanner;

FIG. 20 illustrates a tool for measuring the number of document to bescanned;

FIG. 21 illustrates yet another customer order form made in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates a block diagram of a system for ordering of goodsand services in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a plan view of an album page ordered inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a display screen on a display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a flow chart of the varioussteps in a system for organizing images in accordance with the presentinvention. The first step 14 comprises the obtaining and organizing ofthe images. The images may be obtained from a variety of differentsources. The images may be obtained by digital scanning of hard copydocuments such as photographic prints, film negatives, document drawingsetc. A second source from which images can be obtained may be fromdigital sources such as digital cameras, photo CDs, computer disks,E-mail and on-line sources.

After the appropriate images have been obtained, they are organized. Ifthe images are in the form of hard copy prints they can be digitallyscanned so as to obtain a digital record of the images and thenorganized. An automatic scanner such as described in co-pending U.S.Ser. No. 09/641,103 filed concurrently herewith entitled “DigitalScanner”, of Kenneth D. Corby et al. which is hereby incorporated byreference. However, if the hardcopy prints are organized in groups(categories) by the customer prior to scanning, the scanning can proceedmore efficiently and minimize further organization down the line thussignificantly reducing the cost to organize the images. In addition thescanning process may be used to provide instructional and additionalinformation to be implemented or associated with the hard copy images.Various methods by which these hard copy prints may be organized will bediscussed in further detail later herein.

The next step 16, after the images have been obtained and organized, isfor a customer to place an order for goods and/or services as desired.The output goods and/or services can take a variety of forms, forexample but not by way of limitation, CDs having images, photo-albumpages, images uploaded to the Internet for access by customer and thirdparties, reprints, creative gifts, such as T-shirts, mugs etc. whereinpersonal images are placed or for any other service or product thatmight be deemed appropriate. These orders may be placed by the customerat a variety of locations and by various manners. For example, they canbe placed by simply filling out a form or by a retail representativetaking the customer order personally or by having the order obtained atthe same time images are being scanned. Additionally, orders may beplaced over the Internet, by phone or by any other appropriate means aswill be discussed later on herein.

At step 18, the digital images of the images provided at step 14 areobtained by a service provider. The digital images may be obtained byscanning of the hard copy prints, slides, negatives, and othermemorabilia, received over the Internet or obtained from other digitalmemory devices having digital images. A more detailed description on howthe images in step 18 may be obtained is also discussed later herein.

After the obtainment of the image data at step 18, at step 20 the imagesare processed in accordance with the customer order. This includes thedigital manipulation of the digital images and/or the obtainment ofassociated information. Some examples, but not by way of limitation,would be, red-eye removal, auto-grouping, texturing, adding of contentand meta-data and then sent to digital storage at step 22.

After step 22, the digital images may be sent to for producing of aproduct or service at step 23 or sent in digital form for later use bythe service provider and/or for allowing the customer to have access atstep 24. For example, at step 24, the digital storage image may bereviewed by the customer or a professional for determining whether ornot additional customization is required. For example, such review maybe accomplished by providing to the customer with a proofing set of theproposed products to be produced and allowing the customer to make finalselections as to the goods and/or services to be ordered. After reviewby the customer the digital data can be sent to storage at step 25.

At step 26, the ordered goods and/or services are then produced orprovided in accordance with the order instructions and any additionalinstructions obtained during any review that may have taken place. Aspreviously discussed, the final output can take a variety of forms andwill be discussed in greater detail later herein.

At step 28, the customer receives the ordered the output goods and/orservices. The organized supplied source documents are also returned tothe customer.

At step 30, the customer may then place an additional order or reorderof the images that have been stored at step 22. Because the images havebeen stored in digital format, the ordering and/or reorganizing of theimages may be enabled in a quick and efficient manner.

In order to better understand the present invention, each of the abovesteps will now be discussed in greater detail.

Referring to step 14, various methods are available for obtaining ofimages. As previously discussed, the initial images provided may be hardcopy prints/documents which come in a variety of different forms or theimages may be provided in digital (electronic) form. Also during thisphase, personal data for entering of these orders may be obtained, forexample, the name, phone number, address of the customer and method ofpayment. If payment is to be by credit card, a credit card number mayalso be provided. A customer billing account may be established orconfirmed. Once, the customer has established and decided on what is tobe ordered and what images are going to be obtained from the desiredsources, the next step would be to organize the images.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flow chart of theorganizational step 14. In the first step 40, a customer gathers thedesired images. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the customermay gather hard copy prints, such as photographic prints, and organizingaccording to desired categories. However it is to be understood that thecustomer is not limited to providing of hard copy prints, and the imagesmay be provided in a variety of different formats. For example but notby way of limitation, film, compact disc, camera memory card, digitallyover a communication network. However, for the sake of simplicity indescribing the present invention, the following discussion will bedirected a system wherein the images provided in the form of hard copyprints that are capable of being digitally scanned.

In the illustrated method, the next step 42 would be for the customer togroup the hard copy images into desired classifications (categories) atstep 42. This grouping at this point while not necessary may prove veryuseful in minimizing cost and later organization by the customer.Preferably the images are grouped in the order in which they will bescanned. The customer need not provide this grouping if it is of nointerest to the customer. After the customer has completed the desiredgrouping, if any, the hard copy prints are placed into a shipping box atstep 44 and delivered to a service provider. The service provider couldsimply be a retail establishment in the business of providingphotofinishing services.

If the customer desires to group the images into desired categories, thecustomer would obtain a customer's organizing kit at step 46. This maybe done by ordering the kit through the mail, over the phone, over theInternet or simply picking up a customer order kit at a retailestablishment. If the kit is ordered from the internet, a simple HyperText Markup Language (HTML) form can be provided which permits thecustomer to input content specific to that customer which are to beprinted on labels that are delivered with the kit. FIG. 24 illustratesan example of a screen display that could be electronically transmittedto the user. As illustrated the user can order the desired categoriesfrom list 402 or even customize personal categories by the selection ofthe “Other” category in list 402. After customers receive the kit labelsthat are provided in the kit, the customer may add other valuableinformation such as the “who”, “what”, “when” and “why” related to theimages. These labels may be preprinted with common categories or leftblank for the customer to provide customized categories by writing inthe desired information. This added information allows the customer toorganize and easily search for specific images when this informationaldata is saved with the images.

At step 48 the customer receives the kit and at step 50, the customerplaces the images in the desired groups which may be established by thecustomer and/or selected from a plurality of predefined categories suchas stickers.

FIGS. 3–20, there is illustrated various kits and parts of kits that maybe used in organizing images and for ordering of related goods and/orservices.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a customer instruction sheet(form) 52 for use in a kit in accordance with the present invention. Theinstruction sheet includes various types of information 54 printedthereon. For example, the information 54 can include what is included inthe kit. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the kit may includepre-printed labels, a container, envelopes, order sheets, order form andan image instruction form. While in the particular embodimentillustrated, the instructions would typically be provided on a hard copydocument, the instructions may be provided in an audio or visual format.

FIG. 4 illustrates an order form 56 that would be used in ordering goodsand/or services with respect to the images being submitted. As can beseen, the order form 56 includes an area 58 whereby identifyinginformation of the customer may be placed herein. Such information mayinclude, but not by way of limitation, name, address, telephone numberand e-mail address. In the particular embodiment illustrated, an orderform 56 may be provided with a pre-printed label 60 having the samehuman readable information, but in addition, includes a machine readablebarcode 62 which can be used by order scanning equipment forautomatically obtaining the personal information of the customer in aquick and efficient manner. The order form 56 includes an additionalarea for providing instructions as to what is to be done with thedigital images that are obtained. In the particular embodimentillustrated, four options are provided for. The first option 64 is toupload the images to an e-mail storage account. A second option 66 isfor ordering of hard copy prints of the images. An appropriate space isprovided for identifying the quantity and size of the hard copy prints.It is of course understood that any desired format may be used forordering an image of any particular type and size. Third option 68allows for the images to be provided on a CD (compact disc) productwhereby all or some of the images may be placed. The CD may be a new orexisting CD. The last option 70 is for ordering album pages of theimages. Option 70 may include simply placing the images in the albumpages in the order that they were organized in the organizing kit. It isof course understood that any desired types of goods and/or services maybe provided.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is a modified order form 72. The order form 72is similar to that order form 56 with like numerals indicating likeparts and operations. In this embodiment the order form 72 includes theability for providing instructions in a machine readable form so that itcan be scanned and automatically implemented. In particular, theinstructions may be provided on a computer storage medium such as afloppy disk submitted with the order form 72. Additionally theinstruction software may be located at a designated e-mail address whichcan be addressed over the internet or other communication net work.Instructions may be provided, as discussed later herein, by a softwareprogram provided by the service provider to the customer such that theinstructions will be in a format that can be scanned and associated withthe images provided therewith.

Referring to FIG. 6A, there is illustrated an image instruction form 74.The image instruction form 74, in the embodiment illustrated, isdesigned to be scanned for obtaining the information thereon. The form74 is preferably placed in front of a single hard copy print or group ofhard copy prints that are to be scanned. The image instruction form 74has a machine readable code 76 that provides meta-data regarding theimage or images that follow. In the particular embodiment illustrated,the code 76 would state that the images are associated with “vacation1999”. The code 76 may take a variety of machine readable forms, forexample: a bar code, two dimensional code, or even a color which isrepresentative of a code. This information would be associated withgrouped images that follow. As illustrated, a human readable text 77 ofwhat is present in code 76 is also provided for the convenience of thecustomer and also serves as a check on what the code 76 will provide.The instruction form 74 also has a location 78 whereby an event or otherpersonal information can be associated therewith. For example, apre-printed sticker form 80, as illustrated by FIG. 6B, may be providedhaving a plurality of sticker icons 82, 83, 84 each indicating aparticular event. For example, the sticker icons 82 indicate that theimage is to be associated with a birthday, sticker icon 83 is associatedwith a holiday such as Christmas, and sticker icon 84 is associated witha place such as a theme park. These icons may have been obtained from atheme park or other place that has pre-registered with the serviceprovider the icon and what is to be associated with the icon. Iconstickers have meta-data associated with them including but not limitedto information such as statistics related to the park, statisticsrelated to specific rides like the roller coaster, park location etc.Pre-printed labels representing common data would be linked so that allassociated images would end up in a common location or folder. Thus whenthe icon is scanned, preprogrammed information may be associated withthe image or images. It is of course to be understood that the stickericons may be associated with a variety of different events, individuals,or places not illustrated. A single event icon will be placed on theinstruction form and that meta-data will be associated with the imagesthat follow the instruction card. The icon is of such a nature that itcan be read during scanning and or automatically associated with animage.

The image instruction form 74 of FIG. 6A also includes writing areas 86,88 and 89 for providing of information that can be read by either ahuman or a machine and added as meta-data with regard to the images thatfollow. A single letter is handwritten into each block of these writingareas 86, 88, and 89. When the image instruction form 74 is scannedprior to the group of hardcopy prints, commonly available software canbe employed to convert the handwritten letters of writing areas 86, 88,and 89 into ASCII characters for storage as meta-data associated withthe scanned hardcopy prints. This software technique is called opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) and is well known in the scanning art. Thisrecognized meta-data is then applied to all digital files resulting fromscanning all the hardcopy prints that follow image instruction form 74until another image instruction form 74 is encountered with newmeta-data being presented. Handwritten instructions entered into writingareas 86, 88, and 89 can also be recognized via OCR as instructions onhow the image is to be manipulated. For example instructions may beprovided for the addition of text and where the text should be placed.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated Kit comprising an organizingcontainer 90 and organizing holder 92 that is to be placed in container90. The holder 92 is an expandable type holder having a plurality ofretaining sections 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 and 101. The sections93–101 are each separated by a divider 107. An instruction form such as74 may be associated with each of the sections 93–101. In the particularembodiment illustrated, a pocket 109 is provided on a holder 92 forreceipt of instruction form 74 associated with pocket 109. A similartype pocket may be provided for each of the associated sections 93–101.Once having completed organization of the hard copy prints into thevarious categories, each associated with an instruction form 74, theholder 92 with the enclosed photographic prints, are placed in thecontainer 90 which is then handed over to a service provider asdiscussed later herein. In this embodiment matched pairs ofidentification sticker 112 (FIG. 9) may be provided. One of the matchedidentification stickers 113A will be placed on dividers 107 (or othercontainer) containing the images to be scanned and the other sticker 113b of the matched pair of stickers can be placed with the original sourcefrom which the image was taken so that the scanned images can bereunited with the original source when returned to the customer. It isof course to be understood that any number of matched pairs of stickersmay be provided and used by the customer.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 there is provided a scale 115 provided alongthe inside surface 116 of container 90. The scale 115 is designed toadvise the user of the approximate number of hard copy prints that hasbeen placed in container 90. In the particular embodiment, illustratedthe scale 115 is designed to advise the number of photographic printsthat have been placed therein.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated another modified kit 103 madein accordance with the present invention. In this particular embodiment,individual envelopes 105 are provided. The envelopes 105 are designed tohold photographic prints 102. In the particular embodiment illustrated,the print 102 has a label 104 which is machine readable and can be readduring scanning of the print to assist in grouping of the digitallycaptured images. In the present invention illustrated, label 104 is apreprinted label that has been entitled “Vacation 1999.” A plurality ofdifferent envelopes 105 can be used to further segregate the photographsinto individual categories. An instruction form 74 (not shown) having amachine readable code 76 can be placed with images in the envelope 105for providing of the information to be associated with the enclosedimages. The envelopes 105 are then placed into container 106 and theparticular embodiment has a pair of pockets 108, 110 each designed toreceive at least one envelope 105. Pocket 108 would contain envelope 105with pictures (hard copy prints) intended for scanning and pocket 110would contain envelope 105 with materials not intended for scanning. Anexample of print materials not intended to be scanned could be printsthat were part of an original processed which are not desired to bescanned. This permits the easy reassociation of the images after thescanning process. The container 106 has a clear window 106A that allowsplacement of instruction form 74 in front of envelope 105 thus allowingthe operator to view the instructions before removing the envelopecontaining prints.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated another modified kit 111 madein accordance with the present invention. The kit 111 in FIG. 9 issimilar to kit 103 of FIG. 8, like numerals indicating like parts andoperation. In this embodiment, there is provided an identification sheet112 having a plurality of removable sticker labels 113 a and 113 bhaving identification peel off numbers 114. In particular, stickers 113are provided in pairs, for example, there are three pairs of peelablestickers identified as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The identifying peel-offlabels 114 are such that one may be placed on container 106 and one onenvelope 105 so that they can be coordinated and identified.

Referring to FIG. 10 there is illustrated yet another modified kit 119for organizing hard copy prints in accordance with the presentinvention. In this particular embodiment, there is provided a container120 having a slidable back support member 122 therein such that the backsupport member 122 may be moved with respect to the front panel 124 soas to vary the size of the area for receiving hard copy prints. Thesupport member 122 assists in maintaining the prints and/or envelopesplaced therein in a vertical upright position. The container 120includes a lid 126 having a second compartment 128 for the receivingimages provided in a different format. For example, digital imagesprovided in a CD, computer disk etc. In the particular embodimentillustrated, the compartment 128 is designed for receiving compact diskhaving digital images stored thereon. Appropriate ID card may beprovided for identifying the images on the disk so that images containedthereon can later be associated with the images provided in the otherformats provided in the kit. This ID be placed on a label on the disk orin electronic form on the disk which can be read at the time ofobtaining of the digital images. This ID can also be used in identifyingthe grouping of the images with other images. The kit further includes aplurality of envelopes 130 each designed to receive a grouping ofimages. Appropriate labels or icons 132 may be used for identifyingcategories for each of the envelopes. For example, one envelope can befor birthdays, another can be for individuals, like father, son, family.Others can be grouped in any desired manner desired by the consumer.Likewise the appropriate labels can be designated as desired by theconsumer. Also, these categories may be written in machine readableform, such as a barcode, on the envelope or a label produced by anyappropriate printing device such that the categories can be read fromscanning of the label and/or envelope.

Referring to FIG. 11 there is illustrated yet another kit 150 made inaccordance with the present invention. In the particular embodimentillustrated, the kit 150 comprises a container 152 which includes a baseportion 154 and a lid 156 such that when the lid 156 is secured to base154 a closed container 152 is provided. The container 152 of FIG. 11 isillustrated with the lid 156 in the open position. In the particularembodiment illustrated, a pair of compartments 158, 160 are provided onthe top surface 162 of lid 156 for retaining various items (See FIG.12). In the particular embodiment illustrated, the compartment 160 isdesigned for receiving order form and/or instruction forms whereas thecompartment 158 is designed to receive items having images storedthereon. For example, but not limited to a compact disk, computer disk,flash card, electronic camera, film negatives, film cassettes (such as35 mm or APS), etc. Thus in this embodiment the images to be grouped maybe obtained from a variety of different sources. In addition to thephysical sources of images, as previously noted, the images may beobtained from a variety of other sources, for example various electronicsources. Images to be grouped may be obtained from computers, electronicdatabases, friends, relatives and other third party sources that can beaccessed electronically over a communication network such as theinternet. In this case a URL (universal resource locator) will beprovided where the desired image can be automatically accessed andretrieved by the service provider.

The base 154 forms a retaining section 163 which in the particularembodiment is provided with a plurality of compartments 164, 166, 168,170, 172 and 174. In the particular embodiment illustrated there isillustrated seven compartments. However, it is to be understood that anydesired number and size of compartments may be provided. On the outsideof the front panel 176 there is provided a pair of identifying labels178, 180 which are used for identifying what is contained within thecontainer 152. The section 163 further includes an area 182 forreceiving of individual prints which may or may not fit within thedesignated compartments 164–174 such as album pages, other documentsthat are desired to be scanned and/or incorporated in the goods andservices to be provided. Also, there is a provided an area 184 forreceiving other items.

The labels 178, 180 may be used in identifying the categories in whichthe photographic prints have been placed and/or for the providing ofinformation to be associated with the images. In the particularembodiment illustrated, there may also be provided instruction cards foreach of the separate compartments identifying what is to be done withthe associated images. However, it is to be understood that otherinformation and instructions may be provided as desired.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is illustrated the container 152 of FIG. 11shown in the closed position. As can be seen for ease of carrying ofcontainer 152 there is provided with a handle 186. In addition forsecurity reasons, there is provided a locking mechanism 187 for lockingof the container such that unauthorized individuals will not have accessthereto and also for securely maintaining of the images therein.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a kit similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 11 like numerals indicating like parts andoperation. However, in this embodiment the container 190 is not providedwith a cover. This type construction may be suitable for situationswhere customer hands the container 190 directly to a salesrepresentative for processing. In the particular embodiment illustratedthere is provided a pair of containers 194, 196 for containing indexcards and labels respectfully. In particular, the index cards and labelswould be used for identifying and categorizing the images as previouslydiscussed. Preferably the information noted thereon would include humanreadable and machine readable instructions to accommodate whether thisautomatic reading and/or manual review will be conducted.

Referring to FIG. 14 there is illustrated yet another kit 200 made inaccordance with the present invention, like numerals indicating likeparts as previously discussed. In this embodiment, there is provided acontainer 202 for photographic prints 102 envelopes 105, containers 106and folders 92 as previously discussed. In addition, a plurality ofcontainers 204, 206, 208 may be provided for holding of hard copydocuments to be scanned. The containers 204, 206, and 208 are adapted tomate with the automatic feeder of a scanner whereby the hard copydocuments can be automatically fed directly from the container into thescanner. Labels 205 are provided on each of the containers 204, 206, and208 for identifying the group of documents and/or providing ofinstruction with respect to the documents contained therein. Preferablythe labels 205 have a machine readable code 207 thereon which can beread by an appropriate reader provided on the scanner. This informationread can then be associated with the image being scanned.

Referring to FIG. 15 there is illustrated a label 104 that can be placedon the prints, envelopes or other items that are used to hold andcategorize the hard copy documents. In the particular embodimentillustrated the label includes a machine readable code 210 and a humanreadable counterpart 212 which indicates what is provided in the machinereadable code 210. It is of course understood that any particularinstruction or code may be provided as previously discussed. The label104 may be ordered as desired from the supplier or provided as part of alist of categories and options to be used. The label 104 can then beplaced on hard copy print 102 as illustrated by FIG. 16.

While applicants have disclosed the use of labels for providing ofinformation that can be read by the scanner, the present invention isnot so limited. The information may be provided on the container,envelopes, order forms, etc. by any printing technique, for example, butnot by way of limitation, the printing directly thereon, or by the useof a stamp or preprinted label

Referring to FIGS. 17 a–17 b, there is illustrated a modified container220 for holding a plurality of hard copy prints 222. The container 220is designed to be used directly with a scanner capable of securing thedocuments placed therein. The container 220 includes a front panel 224,a back panel 226, a bottom panel 228 and a pair of side panels 230 and232. The front panel 224 has a height H which is less height H1 of theback panel 226, thus providing an opening 233 whereby the prints 222 maybe placed and viewed. An instruction and/or information label 234 maybeprovided on the front panel 224 as illustrated in FIG. 17 c. Asillustrated by FIG. 17 b, there may be provided a removable guide 236which can be used to accommodate smaller size documents/prints 222placed therein. Preferably, the guide 236 bias the prints 222 to oneside of the container 220. The container 220 has a shape such that theprints can be delivered directly to a scanner 240 as illustrated in FIG.17 d. Thus, the opening 233 and the size and shape of the container isconstructed such that it mates with an opening 242 of the scanner 240such that the documents may be presented to the scanner in anappropriate manner for automatic removal therefrom for digital scanningof the.

Referring to FIG. 18, there is illustrated a modified carrier 250 forholding a hard copy print of a size smaller than which the scanner isdesigned to be used and/or for documents of a fragile or special naturethat make it unadvisable to merely stack the hard copy print with aplurality of other prints for automatic scanning. For example if theprint is not as minimal size as desired for automatic feeding in thescanner or of a delicate nature where damage may occur during automaticfeeding of the print in the scanner the carrier 250 would be used. Inparticular, as illustrated by FIG. 18, modified carrier 250 includesalignment marks 252, 254 and 256 which are used to assist in thealigning the image in the center of the modified carrier 250. There isprovided a light adhesive layer 257 on the surface of sheet 250. Thisallows the print 102 (a single print or multiple prints) to betemporarily adhered to the top surface so that it can be automaticallyfed through a scanner, yet allow easily removal of the image from thecarrier with out any affect to the image. An example of suitableadhesive is of the type that is used on Post it® notes. Once the printis secured to the carrier, the carrier with secured print can beautomatically fed into the scanner.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is illustrated another modified carrier 260for use in automatically feeding of the print into a scanner. In thisembodiment, the carrier 260 includes a retaining member 262 at the frontleading edge 266 of the sheet. In the particular embodiment illustrated,the retaining member 262 is of a flexible nature such that when the topportion 264 of a print 102 is placed in carrier 261, retaining member262 it will securely hold the print 102 in relatively stationaryposition. The retaining member 262 has a relatively small thickness Tsuch that only a small portion of the print is covered therebyminimizing the amount of image lost. This retaining member can betransparent so that the entire print 102 can be scanned without theleading edge being cropped. With regard to prints having borders it canbe seen that virtually no image area is lost from the print 102. Theretaining member 262 is provided at the leading edge 266 that is fedinto an automatic type scanner.

Referring to FIG. 20 there is illustrated a sample of a tool 270 thatcan be used for determining the amount of prints that are to be scanned.The tool 270 is used so that appropriate calculation can be made as tothe cost of the service to be provided and also can be used to determinethe amount of material that will be used in producing of the product.For example, if a customer orders album pages of particular size andshape and there are a certain number of prints of a particular averagesize, then the appropriate amount or number of album pages can becalculated.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the customer places the images in theappropriate kit or containers as illustrated in FIGS. 3–13. The customerat step 280 places the hard copy prints in envelopes. At step 282,appropriate customer labels are provided and then put into thecontainers at step 284. At step 286, the customer fills out appropriateorder forms. At step 288 customer hands over or carries the kit to theservice provider. This may also be in the form of bringing the completedkit to a kiosk for use therewith. Thereafter, once the images have beendelivered, the appropriate products will be provided by the serviceprovider and then returned as appropriate.

Order Placement

Referring to FIG. 21 there is illustrated a customer order form 300 thatmay be used in the ordering of goods and/or services in the systemaccording to the present invention. The order form 300 illustrated isshown as a hard copy form which can be filled in by a customer. Thisform can equally be provided on a computer screen and associated with acomputer for forwarding of the customer order electronically to theretailer or image service provider as discussed later herein. In theparticular embodiment illustrated, the customer order form 300 has avariety of different goods and/or services that may be provided withregard to the goods that could be provided, the item listed as number 1could include hard copy output for producing of the prints in albumpages. Various selections are provided for the ordering of the products.It is of course understood that any other type of product includingprints and reprints may be ordered and the present invention is notlimited to the hard copy output and products illustrated, for example,labels, image transfers for use with mugs, T-shirts. Thus, the customerorder form 300 may provide as set forth a variety of output products orservices and associated selection boxes 292. Appropriate machinereadable codes 322 are preferably provided so that automatic entry ofthe customer may be accomplished. There is of course a place in form 320for a customer's name, address, phone number, e-mail address and methodof payment. Lastly, the last category provided on the form 300 is wherethe goods and/or services are to be sent 328 to which may be to thecustomer or third party or whomever the customer so desires. This alsoincludes sending the output to a particular e-mail address or aparticular account or storage or business. It is of course understoodthat the customer order form may take a variety of forms and be able toprovide any desired goods and/or services that are available. Order form300 also includes an order ID 324 which has an associate machinereadable code 326.

System

Referring to FIG. 22 there is illustrated a system 330 for practicingthe present invention. In particular, the system 330 includes first asource of images. As previously discussed, this may be hard copydocuments 331 or may be a digital source 332 such as a digital camera,digital scanner, etc. No matter what the source of the images, theimages are provided to a retailer 334 or an image service provider 336,which may be the same entity. A kiosk 333 or other type device (orsystem) may be provided at the retailer 334 for use by the retailer 334or customer in organizing the images, reviewing the images and/or ofordering of goods or services relating to the image as discussed herein.The primary function of the retailer 334 is to accept the order fromcustomers whereas the image service provider 336 is capable of providingthe actual goods and/or services to the customer. The goods and/orservices may be returned directly from the image service provider 336 tothe customer or to the retailer 334 and then to the customer. In theparticular embodiment illustrated, the image service provider 336provides various ways for capturing and/or obtaining of the digitalimages. As illustrated, the image service provider 336 is provided witha scanner 340 and central computer 342. The scanner 340 in theparticular embodiment illustrated, is designed for scanning of the hardcopy documents, such as photographic prints, and turning the scannedimages into digital record file that can be digitally manipulated andused for providing of image goods and/or services. It is to beunderstood that inputs can be in the form of photographic negatives,slides, CDs and other digital materials from an online account. Thecentral computer 342 may be used for obtaining of the digital recordfile for each of the images. This may be done for example over acommunication network, such as the internet, whereby the serviceprovider obtains digital images from various sources as previouslydescribed. Appropriate customer data information is entered into thesystem for association with the digital images scanned for each customerorder. This can be accomplished by a variety of different methods. In asituation where hard copy documents are being provided for scanning,information may be provided on a customer order, such order form 300which includes an order ID 324 and associated machine readable code 326.Thus, if the customer order form is scanned the appropriate code can forinstance identify that it is a customer order form and provide certainencoded information. Further, the form can be set up such that byappropriately checking certain selection boxes, the information beingrequested can be immediately associated therewith. In addition, thecustomer order form may be similarly encoded with respect to the kit andvarious numbers provided on the labels used for grouping of the images.This way as the images are scanned, these codes can also be associatedwith the customer order and automatically associated with theappropriate images by the central computer 342. Likewise, if the digitalimages are sent directly to the retailer and/or computer 342, a similartype customer order number may be provided and associated with theimages and the customer order. The scanner 340 is also capable ofreading and interpreting instruction forms and icons as previouslydiscussed, such that the special instructions provided by theinstruction forms or can be immediately interpreted and effectuated bythe computer. The central computer 342 can also be is used forcoordinating of the images and may be associated with a server 350. Theserver 350 may be hooked up to the Internet 352 which may be hooked upan Internet service provider 354 which in turn could be connected to acustomer 356.

System 330 includes an image data manager 360 that can manipulate theimages as preprogrammed or by instructions that have been machine readby scanner 340 and forwarded on to computer 342. The manipulation mayinclude, but not limited to, grouping, sorting, improving imagecharacteristic such as color tone, red eye, scratch removal, determiningthe best place (white space) to place text to be added, etc. andproviding meta-data as appropriate with regard to the associated images.Color correction and sharpening can be done automatically or at therequest of the customer. Preferably color correction and sharpening isdone automatically in accordance with prestored programs. However, ifdesired, this can be done manually at some greater cost to the customer.In addition to color correction various other programs may be used, forexample, but not by way of limitation, programs may be used to give asimilar look to all of the images in a group and/or order, provide theimages in the same size or selected pattern of sizes, provide the imagein the same resolution. An example would be to provide a soft or mattefinish to all of the images. Since image will most likely be obtainedfrom a variety of sources over and extended period of time, it may bedesirable to provide a common look to the grouped images.

Also the image data manager 360 may to do some automatic grouping and/orsorting of images by texture, scene, faces, or content informationobtained during scanning of the images. In certain situations, thecustomer may simply provide a group of image and provide some criteriaupon which they are to be grouped. For example, an image of a particularindividual, place or thing may be selected by the customer. Appropriatecomputer programs can then be used to group the images in accordancewith the selected criteria. Face recognition computer programs currentlyexist which can identify an individual from a plurality of images.

As shown in FIG. 22, a digital camera 332 may be used to capture animage of a person (or other item) against a very specific coloredbackground known as a “blue screen” shot. Algorithms, well known in theart, which are incorporated into image data manager 360 allow theseparation of the background and the person (or other item). Theseparated image can then be used to search for similar content andsubsequently, automatic grouping. Another use of digital camera 332 isto take a picture of the original print envelope where it contains somehandwritten notes on the outside of the envelope where typically thereis provided an area for such handwritten notes. In this case, the imagedata manger 360 provides the picture of the envelope to facilitate theremembrance of specific events or significance while manuallycategorizing. Another example of automatic sorting and grouping can bebased on other characteristics of the original hard copy prints. Overthe years, many photofinishing printing characteristics have changed,but typically for a time period or for a particular photofinishing labcertain features may have maintained constant, certainly for a singleroll of developed film. Examples of such characteristics, but not by wayof limitation, are: a particular size or shape (for example square); awhite border around the image; serrated edges on the print; and a printdate provide on the front or back side of the print. Any one orcombination of these characteristics could be used for automaticgrouping and/or sorting of the images. This same program could be usedby the user after receipt of the digital image date files for laterautomatic sorting and grouping of images. Additional software programsmay be provided for any desired purpose. Other examples would be tocorrect of skew of the images resulting from scanning of the hard copydocument through the scanner, automatic formatting of images in an autoalbuming program.

The image data manager 360 can incorporate information found on spacesprovided on the consumer's envelopes, labels, etc, used to group theimages. Such as information may include the Who, What Where, When andWhy of images or groups of images into meta-data which can be storedwith the images as meta-data or on a database. Also the image datamanager 360 can incorporate the group, label information provided by thecustomer or obtained from a another source as a part of the computerfile name such as the name “AndyBirthday” could have the images namedsuch as “AndyBirthday1”, “AndyBirthday2”, “AndyBirthday3” etc so that ifthe images are moved through out the computer or internet a personviewing the images would know the main subject of the image. As imagesare processed through the image data manager 360, images may bepresented to the consumer in a final form that represents the finaladditional product that can be ordered via a click of a mouse. Thiswould encourage the purchase of additional products. Meta-data can bedisplayed with images such as Who, What Where, When and Why to aid theconsumer in remembering the significance of the images. In the case theconsumer has given the retailer album pages to scan, the image datamanager 360 can extract individual images from the album pages and savedas individual files that can be utilized. In the case that images havebeen acquired from various consumers and meant to be stored in onedepository the image data manager 360 can not only make one depository,but also group the images by the original source or owner. The imagedata manager 360 can incorporate other effects specified by the consumerduring the ordering process, such as, but not limited to music for slideshows or specified transitions or a particular background for an albumpage or a favorite border or annotation for reprints.

Once the image data manager 360 has completed the image manipulationjob, the image output is sent to a data storage memory device 362 and/orif a product is to be produced directly therefrom, it is sent to anappropriate output device, such as device 364. It is to be understoodthat the output device may compromise a variety of different typedevices. For example, but not limited to a image storage and retrievaldevice, a device for printing images onto a media, including but notlimited to photosensitive media, for producing of the hard copy printsrequested. Alternatively, the output device 364 which may comprise adevice for making a computer disk, a compact disk or other digitalstorage device wherein the images are arranged, sorted and stored asrequested by the customer, devices for producing of transfers which canbe used providing of images on the various products such as mugs,T-shirts and other items. The output device 364 may be any appropriatedevice that is currently available or that may become available in whichimages can be provided in some form.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, there is illustrated an example of aproduct that may be provide. In particular there is illustrated an albumpage 370 produced in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 23Aillustrates the front side 372 of the album page 370 whereas FIG. 23Billustrates the back side 374 of the album page 370. With respect toFIG. 23A it can be seen that five images 371. 373, 375, 377 and 379 ofvarious size and shapes are provided thereon, whereas on the back side374 a different number and plurality and shaped and sized images 381,383, 385 are provided. It is however to be understood that any desirednumber of images and arrangements may be provided. In the particularembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B, these arrangements havebeen obtained by instructions provided by the customer in the initialorganization. Optionally the sides of the album page may beautomatically arranged.

The present invention may be used in a variety of different ways. Forexample, with regard to the system 330 illustrated in FIG. 22, theimages after being sorted in accordance with the customer's wishes maybe forwarded on to a server 350and then forwarded on to the customerthrough the Internet and Internet Service Provider 354. For example, thecaptured images may be downloaded to the customer's computer inaccordance with the instructions that have been programmed thereto. Incertain situations, there may be little or no initial instructionsprovided by the customer with regard to the grouping of the images. Byforwarding theses images to the customer, there is provided anopportunity for the customer to provide further groupings, modificationsadditional instructions. For example, should the customer desire thatthe images captured be placed in album pages, images forwarded to thecustomer, preferably in a low resolution mode so as to minimize theamount of information that needs to be sent to the customer. Appropriatealgorithms (software programs) may be made available to the customer foruse in manipulating the images, adding of text, and/or reorganizing ofthe images sent to the customer. The software may be downloaded directlyto the computer at a customer site as a part of the original kit oralternatively the software may be provided by the server 350 with theimages. Alternatively whereby the instructions may be provided to thecustomer whereby the customer simply will have access to the imagesstored at the service providers site using the software that resides atthe server 350. Once the customer has finished providing additionalinstructions, grouping, manipulation, information, etc., the results areforwarded to the service provider for fulfillment. Appropriate softwaremay also be sent to the customer so that the customer may know the costof the goods and/or services being ordered. Preferably the cost would bedisplayed and adjusted in accordance with the current state of thecustomer's order. Additionally, previewing of a product, for example analbum page, incorporating the selected images may be provided so thatthe customer can see what the product may look prior to actuallyordering of the product. This allows the customer to make furtherenchantments and/or changes prior to actually placing the order.

A suitable organizational software is described in co-pending U.S.patent applications of Richard Simon, Ser. No. 09/559,478 filed Apr. 27,2000, entitled “Method Of Organizing Digital Images On A Page” and ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/640,938, filed concurrently herewith of John Squillaet. al., entitled “A Method And System For Cataloging Images” which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The RichardSimon application is directed to automatically formatting a plurality ofimages on a side of an album page and the John Squilla application isdirected to organizing, retrieving and reorganizing of digital images.However, it is to be understood that any appropriate software programfor organizing and/or reorganizing images may be appropriately used. Thebenefit of using the software provided in the co-pending applications isthat it provides an easy and efficient manner in which consumers canreadily identify, organize and later re-organize images.

In the previous embodiment the images are sent to a customer computer,however, access to the captured images may be provided by a computer orkiosk 313 at the retailer, service provider or at some other location.The kiosk 313 could be used in the same manner as discussed with thecustomer's computer. In this system, a customer order number could beused for controlled access to the image. The kiosk 313 could provide allof the same options for ordering and manipulation of the images. Thissystem could provide a system which would not require the customer tohave a computer. Additionally, a kiosk allows customer to do theordering and manipulation while away from home, for example on vacation.Alternatively, other electronic devices could be used for accessing ofthe images, for example, a cable TV system whereby the customer coulduse the cable box and associated control as a means for accessing,manipulating and ordering.

Referring back to FIG. 22 the output of the server may also be providedto a review output device 380 which is provided internally of the imageservice provider 336. In particular, the images may be reviewed to makesure that the appropriate instructions have been implemented and/or toprovide additional corrections or manipulations. In certain situations,it may not be possible to do automatically the organization required. Inthis case a professional may be provided to implement the instructionsand organization or provide the goods and/or services requested by thecustomer. After this has been done, the information can then be sentback to the computer and then send out the appropriate output devices.After the product and/or goods and/or services are produced by outputdevice 364 they are forwarded to the customer or to an identified partydesignated to receive the goods and/or services.

As illustrated, the customer or other third party may use the providedgoods and/or services for re-ordering. In this regard, if the imageshave been saved in a data storage device such as 362, the images may beaccessed through the Internet, whereby reorganization of the images maybe obtained, including the total reorganization in accordance with themeta-data that is originally provided. If appropriate meta-data(information) has been associated with all of the images for multipletype meta-data it may be possible to reorganize the images to a varietyof different output formats as desired by that particular customer or aparticular occasion. For example, but not by way of limitation, ifappropriate meta-data is provided with images identifying an item orindividual in the image, the locations, event, various groupings ofimages can obviously be put together for organizing of the images to thecustom desired. For example, if the third party is a related person,like son, daughter or grandparent etc. the images associatedparticularly or desired by that particular individual need be accessedand resorted on the basis of the criteria determined by that individual.It is obvious that a variety of different type criteria may be providedso as to reorganize the images already presently on file. This becomesof a relatively easy nature if the software provided is used aspreviously discussed.

With regard to the hard copy images that have been provided to theretailer, as previously discussed with regard to FIGS. 3–21, theseimages can be returned in the containers initially supplied. In additioninformation may be provided to the customer as to where the images aredigitally stored for a pre-set period of time allowing the customer toagain re-access and reorder goods and services as desired. Thus, makingit easily for the customer for using these images and for furtherorganization. Additionally, there is the ability of using the softwarepreviously discussed, for the customer to provide further meta-data withregard to the stored digital images so that the images can be furtherorganized in more detail or using different sorting criteria.

In the case where the products are not hard copy product, but theproviding of digital images in a digital format, for example but not byway of limitation, on a computer disk, a electronic computer file, inthe form of an electronic mail, the information and organizationalinformation provided by the information and instruction forms may beretained and associated with the images.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the scope of theinvention. The present invention being defined by the claims set forthherein.

PARTS LIST

 14 step  16 step  18 step  20 step  22 step  24 step  26 step  28 step 30 step  40 step  42 step  44 step  46 step  48 step  50 step  52customer instruction sheet/form  54 information  56 order form  58 area 60 pre-printed label  62 machine readable barcode  64 first (upload)option  66 second (hard copy) option  68 third (CD) option  70 last(album pages) option  72 modified order form  74 image instruction form 76 machine readable code  77 human readable text  78 place  80pre-printed sticker form  82 sticker icons  83 sticker icons  84 stickericons  86 writing area  88 writing area  89 writing area  90 container 92 organizing holder  93 retaining section  94 retaining section  95retaining section  96 retaining section  97 retaining section  98retaining section  99 retaining section 100 retaining section 101retaining section 102 print 104 pre-printed labels 105 envelope 106container   106A clear window 108 pocket 110 pocket 112 identificationsheet   113A identification sticker   113B identification sticker 114peel-off labels 119 modified kit 120 container 122 slidable supportmember 124 front panel 126 lid 128 second compartment 130 envelopes 132labels/icons 150 kit 152 container 154 base portion 156 lid 158compartment 160 compartment 162 top surface 163 retaining section 164compartments 168 compartments 170 compartments 172 compartments 174compartments 176 front panel 178 identifying labels 180 identifyinglabels 182 area 184 area 186 handle 187 locking mechanism 190 container194 container 196 container 200 kit 202 container 204 container 205labels 206 container 207 readable code 208 container 210 machinereadable code 212 human readable counterpart 220 container 222 multiplehard copy prints/documents 224 front panel 226 back panel 228 bottompanel 230 side panel 232 side panel 233 opening 234 information label236 removable guide 240 scanner 242 opening 250 carrier sheet 252alignment mark 254 alignment mark 256 alignment marks 257 light adhesivelayer 260 modified carrier 262 retaining member 264 top portion 266leading edge 270 tool 280 step 282 step 284 step 286 step 288 step 292selection boxes 300 customer order form 320 place in form 322 machinereadable codes 324 order ID 326 machine readable code 328 send toaddress 329 customer computer 330 system 331 numeral 332 digitalsource/digital camera 333 kiosk 334 retailer 336 image service provider340 scanner 342 central computer 350 server 352 internet 354 internetservice provider 356 customer 360 image data manager 362 data storagememory device 364 output device 370 album page 371 image 372 front side373 image 374 back side 375 image 377 image 379 image 380 review 381image 382 image 383 image 385 image 402 list

1. A method for ordering a kit by a customer from a service provider foruse in organizing customer provided images on hard copy prints to bescanned by said service provider, comprising the steps of: said customeraccessing said service provider over a communication network and filingout an electronic order form that identifies items to be provided insaid kit to be forwarded to said customer by said service provider,wherein one of said items comprises a plurality of labels each havingmachine readable data thereon that identifies a group that is to be usedin organizing said customer provided images; forwarding to said serviceprovider a plurality of hard copy prints each having an image thereon,said hard copy prints being associated with one of said plurality oflabels for grouping of said images; and said service provider obtainingdigital images of said images by scanning of said hard copy prints andorganizing digital images in accordance with said groups associated withsaid plurality of labels.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein oneof said items allows said customer to customize information to beprovided on said label.